Chapter 19 – Now We're All in the Same Boat
Loria set her pen down, unable to focus on her magic studies. She simply couldn't contain her curiosity any longer.
What on earth is he hiding?
The moment they had arrived at the grand duke's fortress, her little brother had chatted amiably with Lancel Gaudie, the man hailed as the king of the North. And what was with that swordsmanship? He was supposed to be picking up a sword for the first time, yet he'd swiftly transformed into a skilled swordsman. Sure, he couldn't handle aura yet, but the techniques he displayed were already at the level of an apprentice knight.
She couldn't hold back her curiosity. He claimed it was his unique ability, but did that even make sense? And those cryptic remarks he occasionally dropped—they kept poking at her heart.
So she had to hear it straight from him.
"I can't take it anymore. I have to ask him myself."
Only asking about what was driving her mad with curiosity would let her sleep. Otherwise, she'd pull an all-nighter staring at the ceiling and maybe even nod off during tomorrow's strategy meeting. She couldn't allow such an embarrassment, so she decided to leverage her position as his big sister.
Loria cautiously opened her door and headed toward Lawrence's room. She tiptoed, lifting her heels, creeping silently along. At his door stood the grand duke, rooted in place, with others murmuring to him.
Before they noticed her, she ducked behind the corner on instinct.
"Your Grace, even if he is a direct descendant of Montemer, that boy hasn't formally studied divine magic."
"Precisely. We humbly ask you to reconsider. A misstep could brand him a heretic."
"Enough. Go back to your rooms and rest."
"But..."
They fawned over the grand duke to the end, using sly, ingratiating tones to undermine Lawrence. Loria clenched her fists at their words and actions but couldn't step forward. Then the grand duke's voice boomed again.
"Do I need to say it twice?"
"N-no, Your Grace. We'll take our leave."
"You'll tend to the wounded sleeplessly on the battlefield too, I trust."
"......"
They bowed their heads in silence and retreated. The grand duke let out a scoffing chuckle and shook his head.
"And these fools dare call themselves servants of the goddess..."
"......"
"You there, little miss. Come on out now. Didn't you come here to talk?"
"Ah—."
Loria peeked out sheepishly from the corner. The grand duke regarded her with a kindly smile. The Gaudie children, trained as knights, had more robust builds, but there was something endearingly cute about the daughters of Montemer, shaped by their mage upbringing.
"What brings you here? Ah, you're his sister, right?"
"Y-yes. I came with a question..."
"Sorry, but your brother's quite busy. He said no visitors. What to do?"
"Then could I just leave a message? I won't be able to sleep otherwise."
Heh heh. The grand duke chuckled idly, then knocked on the door he was guarding himself. Knock knock.
Moments later, the door opened, revealing Lawrence with eyes sparkling with vitality.
"What is it? Oh, sis?"
"Looks like she really is your sister, the way you jumped out. Treat me as if I'm not here and talk. I doubt it'll happen, but someone needs to stand guard."
"Ugh......"
Loria's face flushed crimson. The grand duke chuckled heartily as he watched the siblings converse.
She asked Lawrence,
"You—what kind of ability do you have? Can't you tell me?"
"Nope. Can't."
"......"
Lawrence smirked at his flustered sister. He hadn't realized before his regression, but teasing her was surprisingly fun. His mouth opened again.
"Well, I could, but you'd have to brace yourself. You ready for that?"
"Yes."
Watching her nod resolutely, Lawrence grew curious. Was it mere curiosity, or a resolve for life-altering truth?
"Even if it shatters everything you've believed in? Even if you see a lot of filthy, ugly things?"
"Still fine. I need to know anyway."
What had happened in that annex? Why did he have such an ability? What events would unfold because of it? And why did he keep trying to scare her off?
"Alright. Almost done, so wait just a bit. Oh, Your Grace. Could you fetch Leila too? I have a message for her. Haha..."
"This kid's treating me like an errand boy now. Fine. After saving my son, how could I refuse?"
"Huh? Pardon?"
Loria was the only one who couldn't follow the conversation. She'd come out of simple curiosity, but it felt like she'd been swept into something huge. Was that just her imagination?
Lawrence smirked and said,
"Sis, now we're on the same side."
"......"
Loria stared blankly at the closing door.
#2
"Phew... That should do it."
Well-made decision.
"Your advice helped."
I watch over the Artifactor as the Dragon Lord's arrangement. If you need their wisdom, call upon us anytime...
"Thanks."
Lawrence muttered to himself as he gazed at the completed artifact. The first one finished was the Black Dragon's Chalice.
◈ The offerings from lesser beings could build a thousand mountains, so his power is an endless abyss.
◈ Implant Status: Possible
An enormously vast inventory. A power Lawrence desperately needed.
The second was the artifact to heal Lake Gaudie.
◈ This artifact is one-time use.
◈ Created for implantation in another. It vanishes after activation.
"Win others' hearts and make them allies. Different personality from the dragons I know."
This is the Dragon Lord's sole regret. Believing one can do everything alone. That was the root of all distortions, he said.
"Hiding it would be pointless, huh."
Not quite, but it ultimately teaches that no being can solve problems alone.
Lawrence nodded slightly. He might seem to have come this far alone, but hadn't he regressed with someone's help? People—people were the greatest assets and the most dangerous threats. Loria and the Gaudie family could be trusted allies and comrades.
They will never betray the Artifactor.
He wasn't sure if it was true, but the Dragon Lord's remnant said so. In his previous life, no one had helped him. This time would be different.
"Alright, let's go."
This was the true purpose of preparing for the subjugation war. Time to reap the fruits of six months' labor.
Crackle—.
The densely packed magic circle. The chalice containing it seeped into Lawrence's body. His head felt like it would split, vast knowledge churning through his mind.
"Kugh!"
Endure it.
Lawrence squeezed his eyes shut, unable to reply. They said the human brain could hold the universe. Even flooded with a dragon's endless knowledge, his brain maintained its form perfectly. What harm could a speck of dust do to the cosmos?
"Huuu..."
Manifestations now available.
Maximum circle for implantable artifacts increased.
Crackle—.
Manifestations were will itself. Calming his breath, Lawrence willed open his inventory—the Black Dragon's Lair.
"Ha, so that's how it works."
He sensed a space like the abyss itself. This would now be a warehouse for infinite weapons and offerings. He dumped in his backpack's artifact materials and pre-made artifacts, then closed the door. No more lugging around a cumbersome pack.
"Prep done. Time to heal."
Lawrence grabbed the implant artifact and opened the door. The three who had gathered entered his view. He grinned widely.
"Shall we go? To cure your son."
#3
In the room, Lake lay sleeping with ragged, wheezing breaths. Leila and Lancel Gaudie watched him with gloomy expressions.
Lawrence pulled out the prepared artifact. Loria asked cautiously—common sense made it hard to believe this little kid could lift a curse the priests couldn't.
"But you can really cure what the priests couldn't?"
"Told you yes. Just wait. And you wanted to see my ability? I'll show you now."
"......"
Loria fell silent at her brother's words. Leila crossed her arms, fidgeting anxiously with her fingers but saying nothing. The grand duke simply watched Lawrence.
Huu!
Steadying his mind with a deep breath, Lawrence began the procedure. It wasn't much of one, really.
Just extract the curse and insert the Holy Benediction. Done.
The reason he'd delayed was pure greed for his own growth—no other motive. Better to consume it himself if possible. Now, more important matters awaited beyond healing.
He slowly opened his mouth, revealing his ability.
"My power is crafting artifacts. Only I can create and use them."
Crackle crackle—!
The artifact in his hand glowed, vanishing into Lake's chest in an instant. Everyone's eyes widened in shock at the unbelievable sight.
The grand duke had heard tales somewhere. There were those who wielded Manifestations. They all became legends who shook the world.
"Heh..."
"......"
"Now, extracting the curse."
Holy Benediction activated.
Lake Gaudie's curse suppressed.
Extract the poison via detoxification or Negative Energy.
Here goes.
He'd cleared ample capacity. Lawrence absorbed every shred of negative energy permeating Lake's body. His ravenous Negative Energy devoured it all. As a result, Lake's complexion visibly improved, his breaths deepening.
The grand duke, Leila, even Loria—who knew nothing of such matters—could see it plainly. Lake's condition was dramatically improving.
"Mm..."
"Lake, are you awake?"
At last, Lake opened his eyes after so long in slumber. Lancel and Leila hurriedly checked him over, while Loria stared at her brother with wide, frantic eyes.
They call it a Manifestation because ordinary humans can't achieve it. Not through price or training, but natural awakening—that's why it's termed Manifestation.
"You..."
"Told you. Takes real resolve."
Loria realized it then. She'd stepped into irreversible territory, truly in the same boat as Lawrence. Somehow, it felt like she'd been kidnapped.